§ 18. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent it will be necessary to import potatoes this season to maintain adequate supplies to consumers; and if he will give an assurance to potato growers that it is still the policy of the Government to encourage farmers to grow enough main crop potatoes to fully meet consumers' requirements in a year of normal yields.
§ Mr. NugentSo far as can be seen at present imports will be necessary to supplement home supplies for the remainder of the season, but it is impossible to give any estimate of what quantity will be required in addition to the imports of about 100,000 tons which have come in since the beginning of December. As regards the second part of the Question, the general production objective for potatoes certainly continues to be that in years of average yield supplies should be sufficient to meet demand at reasonable prices.
§ Mr. HurdWill my hon. Friend see that that assurance is made known to growers before they come to planting time, because there may be some doubts in their minds as a result of these exceptionally heavy imports Which have had to be brought into the country in the last few months.
§ Mr. NugentYes, Sir. It was specifically stated in the White Paper after the Annual Price Review last year, but we should certainly be willing to state it again this year.
§ Mr. CollinsIf the Minister cannot make up his mind now, can he say 816 whether potatoes will be available for import when finally he decides that such imports are necessary?
§ Mr. NugentWe are now granting licences for the import of potatoes.